98 
crumbling texture, easily washed away by the action 
of the water, and this explains the great depth at 
which the bed of the river lies from the top of the banks.- 
The dyke referred to must have in the course of ages 
been worn down by the rush of water, and thus has 
gradually formed the immense gap through which the 
river now passes. Arahis hirsutus was found growing 
here, and in great profusion, St ell aria nemorum as 
well as a curious foim of the large thistle Car duns 
Jieteropliyllus^ the leaves, instead of the usual form, 
being deeply laciniate. We captured also several 
species of Brachelytrous beetles, of the genus Stenus, 
the bugs Lojpus holsatiis B^nd^calcaratas^ diiaAldolocoris 
jpallidus, not hitherto found in Perthshire, and also 
Saida stellata. We gathered the lollowing shells in 
the wood bordering the river — namely, Zonites. 
cellarius, nitidulus, crystal linns, and fulviis, Helix 
nemoralis var. liortensis, tiispida and rotundata, 
Bulimus, ohscurus, Clausilia perversa, and Balea 
perversa. Having gone as far as the Bridge Dalcrae 
and rested, the party returned, choosing a path more 
to the south and in the direction of the Castle. The 
decaying carcase of a rabbit produced Necrojjhagus 
mortuo'rum, the “Burying Beetle,and one or more 
species of Catops and BracTielytra. We gathered 
here Sanicula europcea, and a few other plants, and 
passing to the north of the Castle, got specimens of 
blossom from the Crab Tree, Pyrus Malus. From 
the branches of a large silver fir one of the party took 
the nest of a Gold Crested Wren, Beguhis aurica-^ 
pillus —the eggs of which were unfortunately broken 
in the descent. In the woods, returning, were caught 
Anticlea derivata and the beautiful little moth 
Gracilaria Swederella. Ha^fing reached the Loch, 
we reclined for sometime on the sward watching the 
Coots, Fulica atra, swimming, and occasionally 
scrambling along the water. Here some of the party 
set to the work of dredging, and soon found a speci¬ 
men of the bug, Notonecta glauca, or “Water- 
boatman,” which has the peculiarity of swimming 
always on its back. It is able to give a sharp 
wound with its haustellum or sucker, the pain of 
which is described' as resembling the insertion of a 
